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Daryl Mitchell replaces injured Devon Conway in New Zealand's squad for Test series in India

Daryl Mitchell has replaced the injured Devon Conway for the upcoming Test series against India after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. Conway had injured his hand after he punched his bat following his dismissal against England in the first semi-final and Mitchell has been in good form with the bat.

Blackcaps coach Gary Stead said pointed to Mitchell’s “versatility” as a batsman and high confidence at the moment as reasons behind preferring him to replace Conway, who emerged as a solid opener in the longest format in the Test series and World Test Championship final against India.

"It's a shame for Devon to miss out on the first series of the new World Test Championship cycle, but it also offers up an opportunity for someone else," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. "Daryl's versatility means he can cover a lot of batting positions and he's certainly got plenty of confidence at the moment.

"He's proven he can perform in Test cricket and I know he's excited to rejoin the Test group."

New Zealand would have been relieved at finally finding one able opener to bat along with Tom Latham at the top of the order but Conway’s injury will make them fret over the role once again. There is a high chance Will Young, who has been on the sidelines for a couple of seasons and has got limited opportunities in the absence of big players such as Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor would walk out to open alongside Latham in the Test series.

The Test series starts in Kanpur on November 25 and the tour will conclude with the second Test scheduled to be played in Mumbai from December 3.

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T20 World Cup | Final: Tim Seifert confirmed to replace injured Devon Conway

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T20 World Cup | Best batting performances

The T20 World Cup 2021 has given the fans numerous moments to cherish in these hard times. From Jos Buttler’s ton to Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s dominance against India to a batting masterclass from James Neesham and Matthew Wade in respective semi-finals, it had all. It’s now down to the wire. The two finalists, Australia and New Zealand will lock horns with each other in Dubai. None of the two sides have ever lifted a T20 World Cup trophy and we are all set to have a new champion. But before that, let’s take a look at the best batting performances so far from the competition. Jos Buttler vs Sri Lanka England’s Jos Buttler unleashed a batting masterclass against Sri Lanka in Sharjah and notched up a brilliant hundred during the course of the innings. Batting first, England were reduced to 35/3 and needed someone to come in for the rescue. Buttler took the onus on himself and provided the resistance to the side along with captain Eoin Morgan. In a batting masterclass of selecting match-ups, Buttler scored the slowest 50 of his T20 career and then unleashed a lethal attack at the back end of the innings. The right-left batting duo initially played in a cautious manner and chipped in with a stand of 112 runs for the fourth wicket. Morgan eventually departed for a 36-ball 40 but Buttler went on to score a century and helped his side put 163/4 on the board in 20 overs. Later, the England bowlers did the job and bowled out the Asian side for 137 in 19 overs to win the match by 26 runs. James Neesham vs England (Semi-final) New Zealand’s James Neesham was glued to his chair with certainly no expressions on his face while his teammates in the dugout jumped with joy after clinching a hard fought win against England in the semi-final. Well, according to him, it was a job half done. The left-handed batsman struck an 11-ball 27 which included three sixes and a four during the course, a knock that would be remembered for ages. Neesham had come out to bat when New Zealand were in a spot of bother after getting reduced to 107/4 in the 16th over while chasing 167 in Abu Dhabi. Daryl Mitchell was set at the other end but needed someone to stick around and also score runs at a brisk pace. And Neesham did just what the doctor ordered. He took on England’s star bowlers, Adil Rashid and Chris Jordan, and smacked runs all around the park to steady the ship for the side. Mitchell and Neesham put up a stand of 40 runs for the fifth wicket before the latter was sent back in the hut. The Kiwis eventually won the game by 5 wickets and an over to spare to march into their first T20 World Cup final. Matthew Wade vs Pakistan (Semi-final) Australia wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade had batted just twice in the tournament before taking the guard against Pakistan in the semi-final in Dubai. The Australian side were on the backfoot while chasing 177 as they had lost half their side for 96 and Wade had walked out in the middle. For any batter, it was a very difficult task to steady the ship and get the team back in the hunt. But the left-handed batsman along with Marcus Stoinis had some different plans altogether. The two batsmen made sure that they got their eye in and didn't lose further wickets and then went after the bowlers and they executed the plan in a perfect manner. Australia needed 22 runs in the last two overs and the ball was handed over to Shaheen Afridi who had a great tournament till that time. For that matter, the left-arm fast bowler had the figures of 3-0-14-1 coming into his final over, and had been incredibly difficult for the batsmen to give away. The left-arm pacer didn’t really give runs on the first three balls but a blunder from Hasan Ali in the deep cost them the game. Hasan dropped Wade in the 19th over bringing down the equation to 18 needed off 9. The wicket-keeper batsman didn’t waste any time and struck three sixes on the trot to seal the win and a place in the final for his side. Australia won the match by 5 wickets and with an over left. Asif Ali vs Afghanistan Pakistan middle-order batsman Asif Ali displayed sheer class against Afghanistan in Dubai. Chasing 148, Pakistan were in some trouble after losing five wickets for 124 runs. The Babar Azam-led side needed 24 runs from the last couple of overs. Asif who had just faced one ball before this took the charge in his hands against Karim Janat. Coming into the 19th over of the game, Asif Ali, standing on the non striker’s end denied a single to Shadab Khan. It was possibly the coolest ‘no’ of all given the kind of pressure Pakistan were in and the way Afghanistan had bowled till that point in the game. Asif Ali took the onus completely on himself and came out right at the end. In the next 6 balls from Karim Janat, Asif Ali went 6,0,6,0,6,6 in an incredible turnaround to the game. Delirious Pakistan players ran out to the pitch after that innings and flung Asif Ali in the air. He remained unbeaten at 25 off 7 during the course. Aiden Markram vs West Indies South Africa were chasing 144 in Dubai against West Indies and had a disappointing start to the chase after losing captain Temba Bavuma in the first over. But Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen steadied the ship for the side and struck a partnership of 57 runs for the second wicket. While South Africa had got the resistance that they needed, the required run-rate was rising when Aiden Markram walked in at number four. He took the responsibility on himself and unleashed an onslaught against the Caribbean bowlers. Markram scored 51* off 26 deliveries which included four sixes and a couple of fours to take his side home by 8 wickets in the 19th over. Honourable mention There were a few more knocks which were pretty classy and dominant but couldn’t make it to the list. Australia opener David Warner was finally back in form after he scored 89* against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi and then struck 49 against Pakistan in Dubai in the semi-final. Warner’s 49 against Pakistan had laid the foundation for a good chase but it was the middle order failure that had them in some trouble before Stoinis and Wade eventually won it for the side.